KEY POINTS:
A titanic rugby showdown against South Africa looming large over the All Blacks will have no influence on selection for the test against Canada, says assistant coach Wayne Smith.
World No 13 Canada will provide even fewer problems for the All Blacks in Hamilton on Saturday than the
understrength France did during a comfortable 2-0 series whitewash.
Yet Smith insisted it was important not to look beyond Canada to the Tri-Nations clash with the Springboks in Durban seven days later.
Team selection would be in line with achieving their goals against the Canucks.
Smith said it would be unwise to simply rest all the players who were in line to start at Durban.
"You risk dropping your standards if you do that," he said.
"We're still working on specifics in our game.
"We'll probably take one or two things and really try to hone those this weekend."
The selectors will consider certain players' need for rest and the need to give game time to those who are underdone.
Two players likely to return if injuries allow are Mils Muliaina and first five-eighth Daniel Carter.
Muliaina's niggling hamstring injury saw him miss both the French tests but he is said to be improving.
If he does start, it could be at the expense of either fullback Leon MacDonald or centre Isaia Toeava, who both started the two French tests.
Carter played only 40 minutes of the first test after rolling an ankle and was a late omission from the second test, replaced by Nick Evans.
"His (Carter) biggest issue was being able to punt the ball, (his foot) was sore on impact," Smith said.
"Also, we wanted to see Nick get a start under pressure."
Winger Doug Howlett looks like getting his first test start in more than nine months, probably at the expense of Sitiveni Sivivatu, while halfback Brendon Leonard may be rewarded for two sharp cameos off the bench with a starting berth on his home ground.
As will be the case for much of this year, second five-eighth is hard to call, with Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister both in excellent touch.
In the pack, Smith said captain Richie McCaw may be rested. It would depend on how the flanker was feeling physically, with McCaw to be quizzed by the coaches on his well-being.
After two dominant showings against France, props Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock could make way for Neemia Tialata and the uncapped John Schwalger. Hooker Andrew Hore could complete an all-Hurricanes front row.
Lock provides more intrigue than any other position following last Saturday's injuries to Ali Williams and Keith Robinson, which has seen them replaced in the squad by Greg Rawlinson and Ross Filipo.
Chris Jack and Troy Flavell filled their unexpected roles strongly against France at Westpac Stadium.
They are likely starters against the Springboks and, despite Smith's words, may well get the break this week that was denied last weekend.
Veteran blindside flanker Reuben Thorne said he would be more than happy to make his first start at lock in a test career that stretches back eight years.
"I've played against (Victor) Matfield (South Africa) and all the Super 14 guys, the top guys, as a lock," Thorne said.
"If I get that opportunity because of injuries or whatever then I'm more than happy to get in there."
When the All Blacks squad were named last month, assistant coach Steve Hansen indicated Thorne would be looked at more closely as a locking option.
He had packed down in that role in a few training scrums prior to this week.
Thorne was keen to sing the praises of his Crusaders teammate Filipo, who he said was a valuable team member for his selfless attitude and infectious off-field personality.
"He's a great guy to be around, he's fun and enthusiastic," Thorne said.
"I'm just rapt for him. If he gets the chance, I'm sure he'll make the most of it."
Thorne said Filipo wouldn't be the aerial liability that some critics make him out to be.
"He ran the lineout for the Crusaders this year. With Jacko out early in the year, he stepped up and ran the show. He was our main lineout man."
Possible All Blacks team to play Canada:
Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Brendon Leonard, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Greg Rawlinson, Reuben Thorne, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger.
- NZPA